Body Fat and Age

With
each decade above age 25, the body loses about 4% of its metabolically
active cells, says Dr. Brian J. Sharkey in his book Fitness and Health.
"If the diet remains relatively unchanged during a 10-year period,
weight will be gained, since the total energy expenditure has declined.
This means that the adult should either exercise more or eat less in order
to maintain a desirable weight.

"Individuals who can claim that their weight has not changed since
college should be congratulated," says Dr. Sharkey. "However,
they should also know that the loss of metabolically active cells with
age usually means a decline in lean body weight. Therefore, the maintenance
of body weight usually indicates an increase in the percentage
of body fat. Body weight alone is not sufficient evidence that you are
winning the battle of the bulge."